The 2023/24 Championship Program continues with the early matches in the Mixed Pairs Championship played in the ideal conditions for bowls. The greens are in top condition and the sunny, though cool weather, makes it very pleasant to play.
It has been a couple of busy days for Michael and Di Challice who have played two games to fit in with the availability of players. On Wednesday they played Vicki Wheelahan and John Wagstaff in a first round match. The Challices had the better of a low scoring start to the game that saw them ahead by 10 – 3 after 9 ends.
Fresh from his success in the Major Pairs, Wagstaff started to find his mark and by the 15th end the scores where 12 all. The Challices then had a good period of play moving back into the lead at 18 – 12 after 18 ends. A further 3 shots on the 20th end put them in a powerful position with just an end to play. Despite Wheelahan and Wagstaff taking the last end, their one shot was well below what was needed. The Challices moved forward with a well- deserved win 21 – 14.
On Saturday the Challices played Sue and John Fahey in a quarter final clash. The early ends were very tight with Michael Challice creating plenty of pressure with his very good lead bowls. His side had a very slender 6 – 5 lead after 8 ends. The course of the game took a major change from the next end.
The Faheys picked up 4 shots on the 9th end and proceeded to win nine ends in a row to make it very hard for the Challices. Though they dominated the scoreboard the Faheys did not have it all their own way. On several ends it took outstanding bowls from John Fahey to give them the advantage after some very good bowls from the Challices.
By the time the Challices were able to win an end it was too little too late! Down 24 – 6 after 17 ends they won the next three ends but could only manage a single shot on each of these ends. This gave the Faheys a 24 – 9 victory and passage into the semi-finals.
